State Highway 3 (Texas)
Encyclopedia
State Highway 3, or SH 3, is a state highway
in the U.S. state
of Texas
that runs from Interstate 45 in Houston
near William P. Hobby Airport
to State Highway 146
, 9.9 miles (15.9 km) northwest of Galveston
. For most of its length, SH 3 parallels I-45 and runs alongside the former Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad lines.
, south of La Marque near the Texas City Industrial Complex at a junction with SH 146
. The highway heads to the northwest through La Marque intersecting FM 519
and FM 1765
before an interchange with FM 1764
(Emmett F. Lowry Expressway). The highway roughly parallels to the east of I-45
as it heads towards Dickinson
. In Dickinson, the highway intersects FM 517
and FM 646
before entering the League City
city limits. In League City, SH 3 has junctions with SH 96 and FM 518
, and head northwest into Harris County
.
The first junction in Harris County is with NASA Road 1, which provides access to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
. The highway continues to the northwest to an intersection with FM 2351 and passes along the western boundary of Ellington Field
. Heading northwest, the highway enters Houston
city limits and has a junction with Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway). The highway continues to the northwest through South Houston until it reaches an intersection with Winkler Drive. The highway turns to the west and follows Winkler Drive to its northern terminus at an interchange with I-45.
to Houston
and San Antonio
through to Del Rio
. The road at this time also had numerous alternate routes simultaneously marked as SH 3, along with occasionally signed SH 3A routes (although most of those routes were given their own numbers by the 1930s).
In 1926, US 90 was routed over SH 3 to Del Rio. Its route was extended along US 90 through Sanderson
to Alpine
, it then headed northwest to Fort Davis, north to Balmorhea, and then west to to a final terminus at San Martine. By 1933, SH 3 was rerouted from Alpine
to end in Van Horn
. While the routes were marked concurrently, by 1939, SH 3 was truncated to a small route running from Seguin
, Luling
to Waelder
. By 1952, the original route ceased to be, and the present day routing was assigned.
SH 3 is sometimes referred to as Old Galveston Road, indicating its function as a thoroughfare between Houston and Galveston.
State Highway 3-A was an original state highway proposed in 1917, splitting from the main route at Houston and roughly parallelling it to the north through La Grange and ending at San Marcos. By 1919, the routing had changed slightly, now veering further north from La Grange through Bastrop and ending in Austin. By 1933, this routing had been renumbered as SH 71. SH 3A was reassigned to an alternate routing of SH 3 that was under construction between San Antonio and Waelder. By 1938, the route was limited to the section between Seguin and Waelder, and in 1939 became the main routing of SH 3 when the original SH 3 was transferred to U.S. Route 90.
State Highway 3-B was a spur route created by 1922. The route crossed the main route of SH 3 at Schulenberg. The route travelled north through La Grange to Caldwell and south from Schulenberg through Hallettsville to Cuero. There it splits again, travelling both southwest to Kenedy and south to Goliad. By 1933 the route had been reassigned to SH 72
, and had become a portion of U.S. Route 77.
State Highway 3-C was a proposed spur off of SH 3A, splitting at Fayetteville and travelling northeast through Bellville to Hempstead. By 1933 the route had been renumbered as SH 159.
State Highway 3-D was a spur that connected the main route and SH 3A between La Grange and Columbus. By 1933 the route was still under construction, but had been transferred to SH 71
.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
that runs from Interstate 45 in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
near William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport is a public airport in Houston, Texas, located from Downtown Houston. The airport covers and has four runways. Hobby Airport is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was the city's primary air terminal until the opening of Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969...
to State Highway 146
Texas State Highway 146
State Highway 146, or SH 146, is a north–south highway in southeastern Texas beginning in Livingston, starting at US 59 and proceeds south to Liberty, where it meets US 90...
, 9.9 miles (15.9 km) northwest of Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
. For most of its length, SH 3 parallels I-45 and runs alongside the former Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad lines.
Route description
SH 3 begins in Galveston CountyGalveston County, Texas
Galveston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 291,309. Its county seat is Galveston. League City is the largest city in Galveston County in terms of population; between...
, south of La Marque near the Texas City Industrial Complex at a junction with SH 146
Texas State Highway 146
State Highway 146, or SH 146, is a north–south highway in southeastern Texas beginning in Livingston, starting at US 59 and proceeds south to Liberty, where it meets US 90...
. The highway heads to the northwest through La Marque intersecting FM 519
Farm to Market Road 519
Farm to Market Road 519 or FM 519 is a farm to market road in the U.S. state of Texas. It begins at SH 6 in Hitchcock and heads east to Loop 197 near Texas City. The portion of the route from SH 3 to Loop 197 was originally designated as SH 341 from 1941 until 1990....
and FM 1765
Farm to Market Road 1765
Farm to Market Road 1765 or FM 1765 is a farm to market road in the U.S. state of Texas. It begins at FM 2004 in La Marque and heads east to Loop 197 in Texas City. The portion of the route from SH 3 Farm to Market Road 1765 or FM 1765 is a farm to market road in the U.S. state of Texas. It...
before an interchange with FM 1764
Farm to Market Road 1764
Farm to Market Road 1764, or FM 1764, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Texas. Its western terminus is at State Highway 6 in Santa Fe and travels generally to the east, ending at North Bay St in Texas City. The end is 1 block from The Texas City Dike, which after Hurricane Ike of September...
(Emmett F. Lowry Expressway). The highway roughly parallels to the east of I-45
Interstate 45
Interstate 45 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Texas. It connects the cities of Dallas and Houston, continuing southeast from Houston to Galveston over the Galveston Causeway to the Gulf of Mexico...
as it heads towards Dickinson
Dickinson, Texas
Dickinson is a city in Galveston County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 17,093 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. In Dickinson, the highway intersects FM 517
Farm to Market Road 517
Farm to Market Road 517 is a farm to market road in the U.S. state of Texas.- Other Names :FM 517 has many names on its journey....
and FM 646
Farm to Market Road 646
Farm-to-Market Road 646 known as FM-646 is a north-south and east-west state highway that runs entirely within Galveston County, Texas. It is 22.5 miles long and runs between Hitchcock, Texas and San Leon, Texas.-History:...
before entering the League City
League City, Texas
League City is a city in Galveston County and Harris County in the U.S. state of Texas, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 45,444; in the 2006 census estimate, the population was listed as 67,200. The 2010 Census places the population of League City...
city limits. In League City, SH 3 has junctions with SH 96 and FM 518
Farm to Market Road 518
Farm to Market Road 518, or simply FM 518, is a farm to market road located in Texas. It traverses the Greater Houston area, primarily running from Pearland in Brazoria County to Kemah in Galveston.-History:...
, and head northwest into Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
.
The first junction in Harris County is with NASA Road 1, which provides access to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human spaceflight training, research and flight control. The center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas, USA...
. The highway continues to the northwest to an intersection with FM 2351 and passes along the western boundary of Ellington Field
Ellington Field
Ellington International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the U.S. state of Texas within the city of Houston— southeast of Downtown. Established by the Army Air Service on 21 May 1917, Ellington Field was one of the initial World War I Army Air Service installations when...
. Heading northwest, the highway enters Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
city limits and has a junction with Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway). The highway continues to the northwest through South Houston until it reaches an intersection with Winkler Drive. The highway turns to the west and follows Winkler Drive to its northern terminus at an interchange with I-45.
History
SH 3 was one of the original twenty six state highways proposed in 1917, overlayed on top of the Southern National Highway. From 1919, the routing mostly followed present day U.S. Highway 90 from OrangeOrange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
to Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
and San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
through to Del Rio
Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio is a border city in and the county seat of Val Verde County, Texas, United States.. Del Rio is connected with Ciudad Acuña via the Lake Amistad Dam International Crossing and Del Río-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge...
. The road at this time also had numerous alternate routes simultaneously marked as SH 3, along with occasionally signed SH 3A routes (although most of those routes were given their own numbers by the 1930s).
In 1926, US 90 was routed over SH 3 to Del Rio. Its route was extended along US 90 through Sanderson
Sanderson, Texas
Sanderson is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Terrell County, Texas, United States. The population was 861 at the 2000 census. Sanderson was created in 1882 as a part of neighboring Pecos County...
to Alpine
Alpine, Texas
Alpine is a city in and the county seat of Brewster County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,786 people at the 2000 census, and had increased to 5,905 by 2010.-History:...
, it then headed northwest to Fort Davis, north to Balmorhea, and then west to to a final terminus at San Martine. By 1933, SH 3 was rerouted from Alpine
Alpine, Texas
Alpine is a city in and the county seat of Brewster County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,786 people at the 2000 census, and had increased to 5,905 by 2010.-History:...
to end in Van Horn
Van Horn, Texas
Van Horn is a town in and the county seat of Culberson County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,435 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Van Horn is located at ....
. While the routes were marked concurrently, by 1939, SH 3 was truncated to a small route running from Seguin
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
, Luling
Luling, Texas
Luling is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, United States, along the San Marcos River. The population was 5,080 at the 2000 census. There is some debate as to how Luling got its name. Some say it was named for a Chinese railroad worker, others for a judge named Luling, or that it was the maiden...
to Waelder
Waelder, Texas
Waelder is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. The population was 947 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waelder is located at ....
. By 1952, the original route ceased to be, and the present day routing was assigned.
SH 3 is sometimes referred to as Old Galveston Road, indicating its function as a thoroughfare between Houston and Galveston.
Spur routes
Numerous spur routes were created along the main routing of SH 3, especially during the 1920s:State Highway 3-A was an original state highway proposed in 1917, splitting from the main route at Houston and roughly parallelling it to the north through La Grange and ending at San Marcos. By 1919, the routing had changed slightly, now veering further north from La Grange through Bastrop and ending in Austin. By 1933, this routing had been renumbered as SH 71. SH 3A was reassigned to an alternate routing of SH 3 that was under construction between San Antonio and Waelder. By 1938, the route was limited to the section between Seguin and Waelder, and in 1939 became the main routing of SH 3 when the original SH 3 was transferred to U.S. Route 90.
State Highway 3-B was a spur route created by 1922. The route crossed the main route of SH 3 at Schulenberg. The route travelled north through La Grange to Caldwell and south from Schulenberg through Hallettsville to Cuero. There it splits again, travelling both southwest to Kenedy and south to Goliad. By 1933 the route had been reassigned to SH 72
State Highway 72 (Texas)
State Highway 72 or SH 72 is a Texas state highway that runs from near Fowlerton to near Cuero.-History:SH 72 was originally proposed in 1926 from Kenedy to Carmine, absorbing previously designated SH 3B. By 1939, it had been readjusted, with the section north of Cuero transferred to U.S. Highway...
, and had become a portion of U.S. Route 77.
State Highway 3-C was a proposed spur off of SH 3A, splitting at Fayetteville and travelling northeast through Bellville to Hempstead. By 1933 the route had been renumbered as SH 159.
State Highway 3-D was a spur that connected the main route and SH 3A between La Grange and Columbus. By 1933 the route was still under construction, but had been transferred to SH 71
State Highway 71 (Texas)
State Highway 71 or SH 71 is a Texas state highway that runs . The northern terminus is at US 87 and US 377 south of Brady and its southern terminus is at SH 35 near Blessing. This highway is designated the "10th Mountain Division Highway" from SH 95 to Interstate 35.Through Austin, SH 71 is known...
.
Junction list
| County | Location | Mile | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston Galveston County, Texas Galveston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 291,309. Its county seat is Galveston. League City is the largest city in Galveston County in terms of population; between... |
La Marque La Marque, Texas La Marque is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city population was 14,509... |
0.0 | ||
| 1.3 | ||||
| 3.1 | ||||
| 4.7 | ||||
| 8.6 | ||||
| Dickinson Dickinson, Texas Dickinson is a city in Galveston County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 17,093 at the 2000 census.-History:... |
10.7 | |||
| 12.4 | ||||
| League City League City, Texas League City is a city in Galveston County and Harris County in the U.S. state of Texas, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 45,444; in the 2006 census estimate, the population was listed as 67,200. The 2010 Census places the population of League City... |
13.4 | |||
| 14.8 | ||||
| Harris Harris County, Texas As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population... |
Webster Webster, Texas Webster is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 9,083 at the 2000 census.-History:... |
17.4 | ||
| 21.1 | ||||
| 23.0 | ||||
| Houston | 23.8 | |||
| 24.4 | ||||
| 30.4 |
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